Orange County communities are preparing to celebrate America’s Independence Day.
Parades, festivals and lots of fireworks shows are planned. Here is a list of some of the free or low-cost events hosted by cities and community organizations (events are on July 4, unless otherwise noted):
Aliso Viejo
The Aliso Viejo Community Association presents its July 4 celebration at Grand Park. The HOA’s event is 6 to 9 p.m. with entertainment, carnival games, family activities and a fireworks show capping it all off. Information about when the park opens for saving spots and street closures is at avca.net.
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Anaheim
The Anaheim Hills Community Council hosts its annual day of activities, starting at 7 a.m. with the Firecracker 5K/10K Run/Walk – starting line is at Santa Ana Canyon Road near Canyon High. The Yankee Doodle Dog Show will be at 9 a.m. at the high school’s softball field. There is a pancake breakfast at the school at 7:30 a.m.
This year’s parade begins at 1 p.m.; it starts out from Canyon High and travels along Santa Ana Canyon Road to Quintana Road. Food booths and entertainment will be at Peralta Park, with live music starting at 3 p.m., until the fireworks show begins at 9 p.m. Information: anaheimhillscommunitycouncil.org.
Brea
Celebrate Independence Day at the 42nd Country Fair on July 4 at City Hall Park, 401 S. Brea Blvd. The fair will be open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with entertainment, food, games and rides planned all day. The Kiddie Parade starts at 10:45 a.m. and there are contests planned as well. Information: cityofbrea.net
The kiddie parade is always popular during the Brea Country Fair. (Register file photo)
Costa Mesa
The city hosts a July 3 community celebration at the OC Fair & Event Center. Tijuana Dogs and 80’Z All-Stars will be performing at the 5 to 11 p.m. event that is free and will also feature activities for families and contests for all ages. The fireworks show will be at 9:30 p.m. Information: costamesaca.gov.
Dana Point
The city’s fireworks show will light up the harbor at 9 p.m. A barge off the coastline of Doheny State Beach is used to shoot off the fireworks. Information: 949-248-3536.
Huntington Beach
The city, as always, has big plans for the holiday weekend, starting with the Pier Plaza Festival from July 1-4. It will run daily until 10 p.m. and feature local vendors, entertainment, games, food and more. A carnival spans the same days at 6th and Pacific Coast Highway.
The Surf City Run 5K will kick off at 7 a.m. on July 4 and run along Main Street and PCH. Registration: hb4thofjuly.org/surf-city-run.
Also on July 4 the traditional Main Street Parade returns at 10 a.m. – last year it was turned into smaller neighborhood parades.
Finally, at 9 p.m. a fireworks show will be launched over the water.
Information on all events is available at hb4thofjuly.org.
Irvine
The city and the Irvine 2/11 Marine Adoption Committee will host a Fourth of July Field of Valor from July 1 to 10 at the Great Park Reflecting Ponds. It will be open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m and community members can sponsor a flag in honor of a veteran, active duty, or fallen service member.
Laguna Beach
The city will be hosting its annual Fourth of July fireworks show at Heisler Park at 9 p.m. They will be launched from Monument Point, which will be closed all day, and starting about 5 p.m., the area of Heisler Park from Myrtle Street to the Rockpile Beach stairs will be closed. Members of the public are free to watch from Main St or any spot they find along the beach. Information: lagunabeachcity.net.
Laguna Hills
The community’s Fourth of July Celebration includes festivities at the Laguna Hills Community Center & Sports Complex. From 4 to 9 p.m., community members can enjoy live music, carnival rides and activities and food trucks. The event is free to attend, and food and drinks will be available for purchase. The fireworks display will begin at 9 p.m. Information: ci.laguna-hills.ca.us
Laguna Niguel
Laguna Niguel Family YMCA hosts its 43rd Run in the Parks with a 5K and kids race. First is the 5K at 8 a.m. Information: ymcaoc.org/run.
The city is hosting its next performance in its Concerts in the Park series on July 4. Springsteen Experience will be performing starting at 6 p.m. at Crown Valley Community Park. A free shuttle service is available from City Hall. Information: cityoflagunaniguel.org
Lake Forest
The community will celebrate with parade kicking off at 10 a.m. at Ridge Route and Toledo Way. It will follow Toledo Way, turn right on Lake Forest Drive then right onto Serrano Road and end at Ridge Route. Information: lakeforestca.gov.
La Habra
“Celebrating Our Freedom” is the theme of this year’s community party at La Bonita Park, 1440 W. Whittier Blvd. Suave will perform live, there will be a military flyover, kids’ activities, vendors and a fireworks show will cap the night. Gates open at 4 p.m. Presale wristbands can be purchased at the La Habra Community Center, 101 W. La Habra Blvd. Information: lahabraca.gov
La Palma
The city’s 40th Fitness Run for Fun has 5K and 10K events for running and walking as well as a kids race. First start at 7:30 a.m. There is also a pancake breakfast in Central Park. Information: cityoflapalma.org
Huntington Beach’s Fourth of July parade returns to Main Street this year. (File photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Los Alamitos, Seal Beach
The annual Fourth of July fireworks spectacular will be held at the Joint Forces Training Base, enter via Lexington Drive or Orangewood Avenue gates. Fireworks show is at 9 p.m. Gates open at 4 p.m. and close at 8:45. Bring lawn chairs and blankets, there will be no other seating available. The free event is hosted by Los Alamitos and Seal Beach will feature music, a family fun area and food vendors. Information: cityoflosalamitos.org/recreation
Mission Viejo
The city’s July 4th Street Faire and Fireworks Spectacular returns this year.
Olympiad between Marguerite and Melinda will be closed for the fair that will feature live entertainment, rides, food trucks and games, starting at noon. Admission is free. Fireworks start at 9 p.m. Information, including on shuttle service: cityofmissionviejo.org.
Newport Beach
Several parades and activities are planned throughout the city.
– The Newport Peninsula Bike Parade and Community Festival kicks off at 9 a.m. at 36th Street Park and travels down Balboa Boulevard to Channel Place Park, where there will be a free festival with carnival games, jump houses, crafts and feed. The festival runs to 11:30 a.m.
– The Mariners Park Independence Day Parade and Celebration marks its 49th year. It starts at Commodore and Mariners Drive at 10:30 a.m. and runs until 1:30 p.m. at the park.
– The Old Glory Boat Parade begins at 1 p.m. in Newport Harbor at Lido Isle. The annual parade is hosted by the American Legion Yacht Club and American Legion Post 291. Information: alyc.com
– A fireworks extravaganza at the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort caps the day’s activities at 9 p.m. There are also activities and entertainment earlier in the day.
Information: newportbeachca.gov
Orange
The city has a decades-long tradition of getting a jump on celebrating American Independence with its community celebration on July 3, starting at 4 p.m. The popular event will be held at Grijalva Park, 368 N. Prospect St.
There will be entertainment, food trucks and kids activities. As the sun sets, the Orange Community Master Chorale will perform then the fireworks will go off. Tickets are $7 and are on sale at the Community Services Department, 230 E. Chapman Ave., through 5:30 p.m. on July 1, or at the event. Information: cityoforange.org.
– Orange Park Acres is hosting its 55th parade on July 4, which kicks off at 10 a.m. It will start at Salem Lutheran Church and School. Information: orangeparkacres.org.
San Clemente
The city continues its Fourth of July tradition with a spectacular fireworks show at 9 p.m. from the San Clemente Pier. The show can be seen from many beaches and hilltop areas.
San Juan Capistrano
The city is hosting a four-day carnival at San Juan Capistrano Sports Park, 25925 Camino Del Avion, July 1-4. There will be rides and food for sale. Rides require tickets be purchased. Attendees can watch fireworks at 9 p.m. on July 4. The city’s trolley is free for the weekend. Information: sanjuancapistrano.org.
The City of Orange’s annual 3rd of July Celebration fireworks show at Grijalva Park will again help kick off the holiday. (File photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Santa Ana
For the 10th year, Santa Ana will host an Independence Day celebration. Starting at 5 p.m. with live music, a play area for kids, food, exhibitors and much more at Centennial Park, 3000 W. Edinger Ave. The fireworks display will begin at 9 p.m. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. Information: ci.santa-ana.ca.us
Tustin
The community will celebrate at the Tustin High football field, 1171 El Camino Real, with entertainment beginning at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free; picnics are OK.Fireworks display will be at 9 p.m. Information: tustinca.org.
Villa Park
Stars on Parade kicks off at 9 a.m. at Villa Park High School. Kids of all ages decorate their bikes, scooters, wagons and such to participate in the parade, which will travel a mile and a half through residential streets. Line up at 8:30 a.m. at the school. Information: vpcsfoundation.org
Yorba Linda
Yorba Linda’s annual Fourth of July Spectacular will kick off at 5 p.m. with family activities, food vendors and United Party Heros performing. Access from Veterans Park and Yorba Linda Middle School. The fireworks show will begin at 9 p.m. The event is free. Information: yorbalindaca.gov.
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